-Alec-
She bent down to grab her soaked shoes and jacket, wringing them out with a grimace before we walked the short path back to the car. Gravel crunched beneath our wet sneakers, each step squelching like we were walking through pudding. The air was warmer than the water, but the breeze still bit at our damp skin.
Raya’s arms were wrapped around herself now, her lips faintly blue.
I opened the trunk and pulled up the compartment. Inside were two rolled towels and an old duffel bag stuffed with practice clothes. I’d kept it there out of habit—spares in case of sudden rain or muddy turf. Never thought I’d use them for a spontaneous river swim.
I held out a towel to her, then the clothes.
She blinked at the bundle in my hands.
“…These are yours,” she said, slowly.
“Yep.”
A pause.
